Why do we need a Drug-Safe Workplace?

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2 Minutes Read

 “If we drug tested our workers, we would lose half our workforce!”

28660301_906520989527199_7331649625280637888_nA response we often hear from prospective clients when confirming if they have a Drug and Alcohol policy and procedural document in their business.

Let’s get serious, what individuals do in their own time is not the business owners responsibility, what the workers do when they are working in the business is. One of the most overlooked aspects of health and safety in the workplace is the fact that both the Employer and the Employee has a Duty of Care. The Employer has a responsibility to identify risks in their workplace and either remove or minimise the associated risk. The Employee has a responsibility to follow instruction from the employer and present themselves Fit for Work which means they too take on a responsibility to making a workplace safe from harm.

 

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When it comes to Fitness for Work where Drugs and Alcohol may be involved statistics tell us that this costs business in excess of $6 Billion per annum in loss productivity alone. When injuries happen due to Drug and Alcohol impairment, we know on average that 8 of 10 injuries involving impairment the injured party is not the one impaired. Another frightening statistic is that 70% of regular drug users are employed. So, the important message for business owners is that on average almost 1 out of every 10 employees come to work at some time in there working life impaired due to Drugs and Alcohol.

 

Despite popular belief, introducing a Drug and Alcohol policy and procedure is NOT about sacking employees. Finding good employees is a difficult and expensive process for any business. If through the monitoring of a well compiled Drug and Alcohol program an individual is identified as being impaired and possibly does have a problem with substance abuse, this in many cases provides the opportunity for the employee to make a change to their lifestyle. It is at this point the individual makes the choice to whether the job is more important than their habit. If they choose to make a lifestyle change this can lead to a more engaged employee, more productive employee and a more loyal employee in return for you assisting and supporting them through a difficult time of their life. If they choose not to make a lifestyle change then, you as the employer have probably avoided a future problem. That individual will move on and find an employer that does not have a Drug and Alcohol policy and become their problem.

Drug-Safe Workplaces will work with you and your business to create a Drug-Safe Workplace. We will not only work for you we will work and partner with you, taking away the extra task of managing the risks associated in managing the risks of Drug and Alcohol in your workplace.

If you would like to find out more about how Drug Safe Workplaces can assist you and your business in this complicated area give us a call on 1300 546 105 or email us using the link below.

Written by Andy Truscott, Director Drug-Safe Workplaces (DSW) Gold Coast and Tweed Heads

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At Drug Safe Workplaces (DSW), we like to do things a little differently from other providers. DSW prides itself on being a client-centric business.

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